Foodie Friday: Updated Comfort Classics

Remember when I said I was going on a diet? Yeah, I don’t either. Did you know April is National Grilled Cheese Month?! Who could possibly go on a diet during National Grilled Cheese?! Well the answer is: certainly not me. My grilled cheese patriotism lead me to Clementine in Century City. Clementine is celebrating my new favorite holiday for the 14th year in a row with a special menu made up of 12 different grilled cheese sandwiches ranging from classic to more gourmet options. We decided to try 2 different sandwiches, the more classic “Parker House Pull-Apart” which was made up of 4 mini homemade parker house rolls stuffed with swiss cheese and sharp cheddar and then grilled, and the more obscure “Violet Beauregarde” a goat cheese grilled cheese with meyer lemon marmalade on organic blueberry bread adorably named after my favorite Lemony Snicket character. We regretted not ordering more sandwiches immediately, but the lunch rush deterred us. I cannot, however, guarantee that I will not attempt to eat my way through more of the menu this weekend. I would highly suggest you make your way to Clementine aka the grilled cheese mecca before the month comes to an end, otherwise you’ll have to wait until next year. If you do visit Clementine, be sure to get a chocolate chip cookie before you leave, only because it is just the most perfect chocolate chip cookie anyone could ever ask for. Actually order 2 and bring me one.

Grilled cheese goodness at Clementine Century CityThat chocolate chip cookie and some other pastries that don’t matter at Clementine Century City

Later that night we ended up at the decidedly more high-brow establishment, Redbird, located in Downtown LA. Redbird is the highly anticipated restaurant from chef Neal Fraser located inside the rectory of a converted cathedral from the 1930’s and was a 5 year long work in progress. Needless to say the space is beyond beautiful. Redbird is one of a handful of truly stunning spaces in LA that creates an incredibly unique background to dine in. Graced with the presence of some of my favorite food friends we selected 13 of the most intriguing dishes from the fairly extensive menu. I felt so fortunate that I didn’t have to narrow my selection to just one entrée! The food here is equally as beautiful as the space. Table favorites included the comforting chicken pot pie, sophisticated gnochetti with lobster, and the refreshing creamsicle inspired dessert. Redbird’s upscale version of some nostalgic classics certainly makes LA’s version of fine dining feel soulful. Redbird would be a great selection for a special occasion or a very memorable date night. While I would love to suggest Redbird for a dinner any night of the week, the price point is definitely a hindrance…but then again maybe YOU don’t have to order 13 things.